Online platforms, particularly dating apps, are a popular way to meet people.
Many users have a positive experience, but there are reports of people being sexually assaulted after meeting in person.
Sexual offences after meeting in person
Reports have been made of people being sexually assaulted after meeting someone in person that they first met online. These assaults can include:
- rape
- sexual or inappropriate touching, and
- sexual harassment.
Any form of sexual offending is completely unacceptable.
Anyone can give or withdraw consent at any time, for any reason.
Consent and sexual acts
By law, you must follow the affirmative consent model(opens in a new window) before engaging in, and during, sexual activity.
In Victoria, all parties must freely agree to a sexual act for there to be consent.
Report a sexual offence from a dating app or online platform meeting
Report or notify Victoria Police to help prevent, investigate and catch offenders through our report a sexual offence, sexual assault, or sex crime page.
It is never too late to report a sexual offence
There is no time limit to report a sexual offence or assault.
Victoria Police will always respond to any report of sexual abuse or sexual assault, no matter when it occurred.
Our detectives will investigate a crime months, years, and even decades after the crime has occurred.
Reporting to the app isn't the same as reporting to police
It's important to understand that dating apps and online platforms are not investigators. Reporting to them is not the same as reporting to police.
Only Victoria Police are able to conduct a criminal investigation and hold perpetrators to account.
We can request information from dating apps and platforms to help solve these investigations.
We can also conduct a criminal investigation if one party has blocked or deleted someone from the app.
Minimise risk when meeting in person
Tips to minimise risk when meeting someone new for the first time, read our safety tips when meeting someone from online.
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